entrepreneurs Archives | Gale Blog: Library & Educator News

Caribou Public Library Offers Residents a Business Planning Tool

April 13, 2018

| Originally published on The County | The Caribou Public Library recently subscribed to Gale Small Business Builder, an online business planning tool for individuals who are exploring the idea of entrepreneurship, looking to start a small business, or operating an existing business. “This resource will help small businesses and nonprofits increase their likelihood of … Read more

Omaha Public Library Supports Local Business Community

March 8, 2018

| Originally published on GO Newsletter | Omaha Public Library is setting the stage for success with Gale Small Business Builder. This online resource offers valuable information for new entrepreneurs, experienced business owners, and nonprofits alike by helping them to plan, start or optimize their organization. Those new to small business ownership will experience a … Read more

Mid-Continent Public Library Offers New Tools for Entrepreneurs

July 24, 2019December 12, 2017

| Originally published by Starland News, sponsored by Mid-Continent Public Library | With more than 30 libraries in the Kansas City region, the Mid-Continent Public Library offers entrepreneurs a wealth of tools beyond books on shelves. From databases to software to an array of events, MCPL provides a trove of information to better build a … Read more

Libraries That Support Local Workers

September 8, 2017

| Originally posted on Shareable | As the needs of communities change, libraries around the world are innovating to meet those changing needs. For a growing number of libraries, that means supporting the workforce by providing coworking spaces, internet access, business incubators, and networking opportunities. Coworking spaces and business incubators in libraries serve freelancers, students, entrepreneurs, … Read more

Small Business Resource Center Enhanced Experience Now Available

June 15, 2017October 25, 2016

New enhancements now available in Small Business Resource Center (SBRC). You and your users can experience an easy-to-browse interface mapped to four key business stages—plan, fund, start, and manage—plus, new content, features, and enhanced functionality.

Enhancements for the current small business owner, as well as the aspiring entrepreneur
SBRC users are now able to access the most popular features of leading Gale products, including:

Integration with G Suite for Education tools, including Gmail, Drive, Docs, and more
Highlights and notes to select and annotate important text to view, print, or export
Improved translation with text translation in 23 languages and platform translation in 34
ReadSpeaker text-to-speech technology to hear the article read out loud and download the audio file to take with them on their phone or other mobile device.
Mobile-optimized display and improved user experience on all devices
Citation Tools that generate APA, MLA, and Chicago Style citations in the most recent format

The same great content…and then some
SBRC brings together hundreds of sample business plans, small business journals, and resources for many aspects of business: accounting, HR, management, marketing, taxes, and more. Content now includes a wide range of media and sources:

Do You Keep Your Library’s Business Resources Hidden?

May 23, 2018May 5, 2016

Posted on May 5, 2016

You may remember last year when we published a blog about Samantha Cole’s editorial in Fast Company magazine. Since it’s National Small Business Week, we thought it would be the perfect opportunity to make sure you’re not missing out on an opportunity to leverage the gift of free advertising. Keep reading; it’s not too late.

Cole’s article, “Who Needs Business School? The Hidden Startup Resources at your Local Library,” perfectly tells the value story of public libraries and specifically, how you support local entrepreneurs and foster economic growth. Do you ever read or hear something and think to yourself, “I couldn’t have said it better myself!”? This is one of those moments. What Cole has explained about libraries—and how she has explained it—is evidence-based and right on point.

Entrepreneurs Lack the Resources Necessary to Start Successful Businesses

January 5, 2016December 2, 2015

Librarians can find themselves in difficult positions when budding entrepreneurs, in search of answers that may determine the fate of their businesses, rush into the library. Steven Assarian, a business librarian at Grand Rapids Public Library, remembers well the day he found himself in such a situation. “An entrepreneur obviously interested in serving tourists came in and asked very specifically whether a particular town was a resort town,” Assarian recalled.

Not only is it Assarian’s job to provide consultation for entrepreneurs in need of business plans, but he’s also responsible for teaching business research techniques to classes of between 10-20 people. The ability to locate and use relevant information during the formation of a startup is a determining factor in whether the business will succeed. The pressure on librarians like Assarian to link entrepreneurs with current and rich data can be great.

“Usually these are people who really need help,” Assarian said. “They just don’t know what’s available or where to begin the process.”

Promoting the Role of Libraries in Community Development with National Media Campaign

April 22, 2015April 8, 2015

EveryLibrary advocacy for public libraries

By Kristina Massari

In support of National Library Week, organizations partner to raise awareness of resources public libraries provide for entrepreneurs and start-ups

Gale, a part of Cengage Learning, is partnering with EveryLibrary, a national non-profit organization dedicated to non-partisan political action on behalf of libraries, for a media campaign to increase awareness of the role libraries play in community and economic development. The partnership demonstrates Gale’s advocacy on behalf of libraries and its support of National Library Week, observed this year from April 12-18.

Michigan eLibrary Boosts Local Economy

May 23, 2018July 9, 2014

By Gale Marketing Research Team

In June 2013, the Michigan eLibrary (MeL), a service of the Library of Michigan, added three Gale online resources – DemographicsNow: Business & People, BusinessInsights: Global, and Gale LegalForms – plus a collection of business-oriented GVRL eBooks to their portfolio.

The decision to purchase business resources for Michigan resulted in funding proposed by the office of Michigan Governor Rick Snyder as part of his “Economic Gardening” initiative to grow businesses in the state, which was then enacted by the Michigan state legislature.

Before MeL had these new business resources available, libraries had to buy their own. Many didn’t have the funds to do so, according to Deb Biggs Thomas, Michigan eLibrary & Outreach Coordinator at the Library of Michigan.

Do you keep your library’s business resources hidden?

May 23, 2018April 30, 2014

Who Needs Business School? The Hidden Startup Resources at your Local Library

By Harmony Faust

Samantha Cole, an editorial intern for Fast Company magazine, just gave your library a present—did you accept it graciously and immediately put it to good use? If not, you might be missing out on an opportunity to leverage the gift of free advertising. Keep reading; it’s not too late.